Steelers Get Unexpected Bad Injury News on Key Rookie Starter
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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ruled out both defensive lineman Derrick Harmon and left tackle Broderick Jones for Week 13 versus the Buffalo Bills.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could get back quarterback Aaron Rodgers for Sunday’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills. But the team will be out two critical pieces of the defensive and offensive lines — Derrick Harmon and Broderick Jones.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ruled out both players for Week 13 while speaking to reporters at his weekly press conference Tuesday.
“Broderick Jones has a neck injury,” Tomlin told the media. “I’ll have more information for you the next time we get together, but certainly, he will be classified as out this week.
“Same thing goes for Derrick Harmon. He sustained a knee injury in play, was able to finish the game, but he will be characterized as out.”
Jones left Week 12 versus the Chicago Bears after receiving a hit high from a defender while in pass protection. Jones didn’t return, so while disappointing, it’s not shocking the left tackle won’t play on November 30.
However, the Steelers already ruling out Harmon is more unexpected given that he finished Week 12. Tomlin also didn’t mention any injury for the rookie defensive lineman after losing to the Bears.
“He was able to finish the game, so it wasn’t on my radar when I visited with you guys postgame,” Tomlin told reporters. “But it certainly turned up on Monday morning, and that’s why I just wanted to be transparent.”
Harmon has started each of the last four games for the Steelers. During that stretch, he’s posted 11 combined tackles and recovered a fumble.
Jones has started at left tackle in all 11 contests this season for Pittsburgh.
Shedeur Sanders Earns Nickname From NFL After Browns Game
Shedeur Sanders’ big moment finally came on Sunday as the rookie quarterback made his first career start for the Cleveland Browns. It was a long time coming, and the 23-year-old made sure to take advantage by helping lead the Browns to a 24-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Sanders, who got the nod to start after fellow rookie QB Dillon Gabriel was placed under the concussion protocol, completed 11-of-20 passes for 209 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The former Colorado Buffaloes star also grabbed attention with his 52-yard dime to Isaiah Bond, as Sanders showed off his deep-ball power.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) looks on during warm up.Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Gabriel officially cleared the concussion protocol after being forced to sit out one game. However, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski already announced that Sanders will get the start again for Cleveland’s next game. This comes in the form of a Week 13 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
This development prompted a post from the NFL dedicated to the Browns’ new QB1 — at least for now. Sanders earned himself a nickname from the league as he prepares for his second career start.
“Showtime Shedeur ⌚” the NFL posted, sharing Sanders’ highlights from the Raiders game.
Sanders will get another chance to prove his worth on Sunday. He did well enough to earn himself a second consecutive start, and it appears that the QB1 role is now within grasp for the fifth-round pick.
The Browns have nothing more to play for this season. Despite their win over the Raiders, Cleveland is 3-8 and is 13th in the AFC. Mathematically speaking, the Browns have not been eliminated from playoff contention, but they currently have less than 1% chance of making the postseason.
This should work in Sanders’ favor as Cleveland leans towards player development. Depending on how he performs against the Niners on Sunday, Sanders could potentially make his case as the team’s starting quarterback the rest of the way.
